Nova ⟡ ✦ ⟡ Nightmare Clan ⟡ partner: Mathias ⟡ Illusions ⟡ location/tags: hunting / Eärendil & Endolynn
Nova’s slitted pupils trailed after Endolynn once she was reminded of the herd below, noticing a moment of indecision as she glanced towards some birds. The golden dragon ultimately seemed to decide against chasing them though as she greeted Eärendil, who the larger dragon now turned to see with quite a few decently-sized fowl. He was back quickly, especially with so many birds; it seemed he had used his usual speed for such a maneuver. ’Eärendil. Nice catch.’ She greeted, eyeing the speckled feathers on the turkeys and giving a grumble deep in her throat. ’No worries, I feel that we will have enough to fill us all after this. I do hope you’re ready to try bison, though.’
The onyx-scaled creature waited another moment in the air, turning her attention back to Endolynn again as she dove down to catch a bison of her own. Once she began her flight down, Nova began to slow her wing flaps and lowered carefully to the clearing below, gently setting the bison in the middle before landing hind-talons first behind it. ’Best not to start a flight elsewhere, should we lose a turkey.’ her mind thrummed to the two others. Her head angled upwards for only a moment before her wing talons precisely prepared their prey to be eaten, not wanting Eärendil’s first bite to be full of tough hide. She was interested in the turkey as well, not having gone after birds since she was quite a bit younger. Nova had always gone after the largest creatures she had found, being curious about their behaviors while also trying to prove her might. Maybe she would reconsider this after getting a taste for them again though. The two bisons combined would also ensure that all three dragons really could eat their fill, even if they discovered that they didn’t like the taste. ’Endolynn, would you like to join us? Eärendil and I had a bit of a challenge for each other, you see, but you are welcome company.’
Nova was now sitting politely, both her front and wing talons settled on the ground.
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Mathias shifted his weight from the side he was standing on as he listened to Rorik’s repeated words, the chill never leaving his spine. It seemed, at least for now, that the commander was still listening, despite any visual signs of it. That was the most he could ask for, especially since he felt a bit of a weight off of his shoulders from confiding the newfound information. Now, at least, there were two that knew this fact, so should anything happen to himself-
The brunet blinked a few times, snapping himself back to the present. Where Rorik was holding and puzzling over the collection of shredded paper. A feeling of unease crept along Mathias’ shoulders when the other asked “Why?”, his eyes trailing the approaching quill. It was the only way he felt he could speak his mind at the moment; avoiding his superior’s gaze. “I… hadn’t considered the depth at which dark magic would be involved. While the attacks on the older group are likely to cause fear and disarray-“ he hesitated, not wanting to intentionally raise suspicions, especially with how Rorik was acting right now. Another side of him thought it might be best to share all of his ongoing theory, since the commander would likely lose sleep either way until the threat was taken care of. “-or recruitment… I couldn’t help but make the connection between the age of eighteen and the partnership with a dragon.”
Mathias’ lips snapped shut after he finished speaking, knowing that it almost sounded like he doubted the dragons themselves. He of course didn’t mean any such thing, but he’d rather not risk Nova catching word of anything of the sort. Especially as she was as troublesome as she was powerful, and had a tendency to listen in on Mathias through their bond. He hoped, for the sake of everyone, that she hadn’t been listening then.
The Viper lead clenched his fists tighter where his hands met once more behind his back, letting Rorik keep the handkerchief and list along with all of the other materials he had been pondering. “I don’t know enough about the fades to say if they have their own system like that, but they very well could be raising an army if so. Possibly with dragons, since they are disappearing too. I find it hard to believe so many would just… agree and go along with a plan that sows destruction though.” Mathias admitted, frustration seeping into his tone towards the end. A combination of furrowing his brow and running scenarios through his head was starting to make it hurt, but if any time was right to get his ideas off his chest, it might as well be now.
“Have… you found anything that could connect to this?” Mathias chanced after another period of silence, hoping he had given Rorik enough time for his thoughts to sink in. He knew the reveal would be a lot to put on any of his confidants, but Mathias had spent so much time alone, doing his own research and investigations, that he was beginning to feel like a madman. Perhaps he should have rehearsed this meeting ahead of time. For now though, he glanced to the books sitting around the room. He had no doubt that Rorik had the most extensive encyclopedias dealing with the fae and what Mathias had dismissed as myth in the past.
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Artemis ⟡ ✦ ⟡ Eagle Rider ⟡ partner: Soliel ⟡ Fire ⟡ location/tags: outside Wildflower Village / Firo
Artemis caught Firo’s eyes land on the book in his hands and slightly angled it so the other could see the cover. “I haven’t read any fairytales in a long time, although I did used to enjoy them. Maybe this could help me get back into them.” He pondered with a small smile. Blue eyes still hovered over Firo’s smile before drifting once more to the trail ahead. The blond gave a small nod once the bookkeeper asked about the myth. “Sure. Well, kind of. My partner certainly fits that tendency though, with how obsessed he is with his appearance. He’s the only dragon I know of that glows. It’s a bit embarrassing, really. As if we aren’t a target enough.” Despite his words, Artemis’ smile stayed on his face- although it was now a bit more of an amused smirk. “When I first met him he insisted on me calling him Soliel the Shining. Like, as a full title. Of course I don't do that now, although before he’d just ignore me if I didn’t. Dragons are certainly proud, I guess.” Artemis recounted warmly. He’d never say such a thing when Soliel was around, and at the time it really was pretty annoying. Now, however, it was just a silly story.
As Artemis listened to Firo’s hopeful thoughts, the young man bit the inside of his lip to keep himself from saying anything. According to everything he had known, humans only got a draconic partner after they had turned 18, and while Artemis wasn’t sure how old Firo was, he wondered if such a thing were possible. Artemis knows that if Soliel had waited much longer to choose him, then his parents may have very well disowned him as they had somewhat done with his older sister. He hoped she was doing all right, even if the siblings weren’t close.
Before he could even think about what to say in response to his companion, however, a great beast had barreled through the tree line and stood in front of them. For a moment Artemis thought it would pass them by and be just another occurrence on their walk, but his assumptions were quickly dashed when the dragon stopped and growled at them. “Get back!” Artemis barked, maybe to Firo who he now blocked with an arm and his back, or maybe to the dragon itself. His irises glowed with a golden flame when he then drew both of his arms in from of him to materialize a bow and arrow out of fire, aiming right for the new dragon’s skull. Soliel was on his way, he felt in his heart, but he might have to hold off a dragon by himself until he arrived. Maybe he shouldn’t have skipped out on practice so many times.
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Soliel ⟡ ✦ ⟡ Elemental Clan ⟡ partner: Artemis ⟡ Fire & Earth ⟡ location/tags: Blackpeak Training Grounds → outside of Blackpeak / Verally → Firo, Artemis, & Ikarus
’A water ability…’ Soliel mused curiously after Verally had thought it, finding himself scanning the field for a glimpse of light reflecting off of a stream or a well-washed rider. ’That sounds fun to watch. Maybe not for him though. He does seem to be trying his best.’ The golden dragon cut his thoughts off before he could add -which is more than I can say for my rider, although a sudden jolt through his veins caused him to leap from laying down into the air in one quick motion. ’Apologies! Trouble! Must go!’ Soliel thought in alarm as he had already made off with a series of frenzied wing-flapping. He could fix Verally’s view of him later- if his rider, and him by extension, were still alive in the next few moments.
Soliel thanked whoever was responsible for his feathered form, allowing him to make a much quicker escape than if he had been weighed down by heavy scales. In an instant he had zipped over the entirety of Blackpeak and was shooting down the uncovered pathway to the village, where he sensed his charge was, and did something of a mix between a sideways somersault and the twisting around of his body to land standing over the two humans. The full force of his landing would have pushed any other dragon to slide back a bit, however Soliel had bended the earth to catch his claws.
’Halt! I will not allow you to lay a claw on these little ones!’ Soliel gave a guttural, beastly snarl- a stark contrast to the fury-laced but authoritative voice he used in his mind. Despite the dragon’s wolf-like face, his head was lowered to angle his horns towards Ikarus like a bull. He would not out his rider as such here- not when Artemis’ destruction would lead to his own demise, although Soliel’s care for the humans was evident as his feathers bristled like quills. Even now, his feathered wings had fanned out and almost completely covered both Firo and Artemis protectively. ‘State your business!’
